How to Crochet in the Round: Spiral vs Joined, and Perfect Flat Circles
Start with a magic ring, choose spiral or joined rounds, and use the right number of increases for a flat circle in sc, hdc or dc. Everything you need for hats, amigurumi and coasters.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) yarn
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- 20 minutes to learn
In this post
Working in the round is how crochet makes hats, coasters, baskets and almost all amigurumi. Instead of rows that turn, you work around and around a centre point. There are two decisions to make: how to start (magic ring or chain ring) and how to continue (spiral or joined rounds). Then there's one formula to learn — and it makes every flat circle perfect.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Starting the round
- Magic ring: an adjustable loop that pulls completely closed — no hole in the middle. Best for amigurumi and hats. Learn it here: magic ring tutorial.
- Chain ring: ch 4, sl st to the first ch, and work into the ring. Leaves a small hole — fine (even pretty) for granny squares and flowers.
- Ch 2 method: ch 2 and work the first round into the 2nd ch from the hook. Easier than a magic ring, small hole.
Spiral vs joined rounds
| Spiral | Joined | |
|---|---|---|
| How | Keep going; no sl st, no chain | Sl st to the first st, ch up, start the next round |
| Looks | Seamless, small jog at colour changes | Visible seam line |
| Best for | Amigurumi, single crochet hats | Stripes, granny squares, taller stitches |
| Must use | A stitch marker | Count chains carefully |
The flat circle formula
A flat circle adds the same number of stitches every round as it started with:
| Stitch | Round 1 | Add per round |
|---|---|---|
| Single crochet | 6 sc | 6 |
| Half double crochet | 8 hdc | 8 |
| Double crochet | 12 dc | 12 |
In single crochet, that gives the rounds you'll see in nearly every amigurumi pattern:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc) 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times. (36)
Each round, one more plain stitch goes between increases. Stop increasing and the circle turns into a tube — that's how a hat or ball begins. Decrease the same way to close it.
Tips for neat rounds
- Stagger increases on bigger circles so they don't form a hexagon.
- Move the marker up every round, into the first stitch.
- Count every round and compare with the number in brackets.
Projects in the round
- Coasters — flat circles.
- Crochet ball — increase, straight, decrease.
- Beanie — circle into tube.
- Basket — circle with straight sides.
Common questions
Do I turn my work when crocheting in the round?
Usually not — you keep the right side facing you. Some joined-round patterns turn each round to prevent slanting seams; the pattern will say.
Why does my circle curl up?
Too few increases for your stitch height or tension. Check the formula above, or go up a hook size.
Where does the round start in a spiral?
Wherever your stitch marker is. Place it in the first stitch of Round 2 and move it up each round.
Spiral or joined — which team are you on? 🔄
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YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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